Last December, the investigative website Pro Publica published an article detailing 47 instances since 2012 in which workers at nursing homes and assisted living centers posted photos or videos of residents on social media networks. Most are too disgusting or cruel to mention here. Suffice it to say they showed residents’ genitalia, or toileting moments, or sometimes indescribable mocking or abuse.

In all cases, the employees were fired or otherwise disciplined. And among the facilities that bothered to respond to inquiries, there was a consensus that technology – basically, cell phone cameras and the Internet/social media – is a problem for them, and one that they are trying to control – the operative word here being “trying.”

With prompting from legislators, including Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), and advocacy groups, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) stepped in last August, saying that nursing homes have a responsibility to protect residents’ privacy, to prohibit abuse, to provide training on how to prevent abuse, and to investigate all allegations of abuse. If homes fail to do so, they can face citations, fines, and possibly even termination from the Medicare program. CMS instructed State Survey Agency Directors to survey “nursing home policies and procedures related to prohibiting nursing home staff from taking or using photographs or recordings in any manner that would demean or humiliate a resident(s),” including posting on social media.

CMS specifically stated that “staff” is not limited to employees but also includes “consultants, contractors, volunteers, and other caregivers who provide care and services to residents on behalf of the facility.”

That’s a step in the right direction. But what about the social media companies themselves? Have they a responsibility to screen and/or take down offending images? After all, some, such as Facebook and Twitter, have instituted anti-bullying procedures that give them the right to remove certain material — when they’re alerted to it.

Notification is the hitch, according to Hannah Jacobs. Jacobs should know. She’s the co-founder of Family Member, a 501c3 organization dedicated to eradicating hateful speech that targets people with special needs and disabilities. “We work to promote positive portrayals of disability in media, entertainment, news, and social media,” Jacobs says. “We address the hate by going right to the source. Sometimes that means contacting a comedian, actor, or author directly, or going to a movie studio, or contacting someone directly on Facebook who has posted bullying and hateful content toward either a group of people with Down Syndrome, or targeting an individual with cerebral palsy. On Facebook we frequently call people out who start hateful groups and pages that mock people with a disability.”

Jacobs takes the route of going to the source because working with the social media companies is, well, discouraging. It’s not as simple as calling their attention to abusive material. The companies will listen, she says, but prodding them to action is another story. “Sadly, it just depends on the day and who is looking at the offending group or page,” laments Jacobs. “The only way to get something offensive removed is to have multiple people report it or go directly to your contact at the social media companies and ask them to remove it.” Jacobs has resorted to tweeting Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg directly to get attention.

As for preventing elder abuse images from being shared on social media, Jacobs likens the struggle to her organization’s challenge. “You need to fight fire with fire. You need a big social media presence. You need to do ad campaigns to teach people how wrong elder abuse is. Things that we take for granted, sadly some people don’t get and need to be taught not to hate.”

Jacobs’ experience has taught her that advocacy groups need to develop a relationship with Facebook – “and then not take advantage of the relationship unless a post is so offensive and you can’t get it taken down by the reporting.” A video of a senior being abused that also appeared on the national news will not be removed, she points out, because that airing serves as “cover” for social media. “But sometimes those awful videos can be used as a teaching moment. You need to put the haters and abusers on notice, that you will not sit by quietly and let them target vulnerable people.”

Jacobs continues: “Many times when I confront people online about hateful content they scream free speech. I have to remind them that I also have the right to that same speech, which gives me the right to scream ouch. Whether we are fighting elder abuse or those who target individuals with disabilities, we’re on the same page, standing up for the most vulnerable among us. You have to use social media to get your message out. A website isn’t enough.”

By Marilyn Harris

Marilyn Harris is an independent writer and editor specializing in business, technology, legal, and social issues.

]]>http://nyceac.com/keeping-elder-abuse-images-off-social-media-new-front-advocates/feed/0Understanding the Ins and Outs of Guardianshipshttp://nyceac.com/understanding-the-ins-and-outs-of-guardianships-2016/
http://nyceac.com/understanding-the-ins-and-outs-of-guardianships-2016/#respondWed, 12 Oct 2016 13:00:22 +0000http://nyceac.com/?p=9615All states have guardianship laws (sometimes known as conservator laws) to protect adults who are unable to make decisions for themselves, such as medical treatment and financial decisions

All states have guardianship laws (sometimes known as conservator laws) to protect adults who are unable to make decisions for themselves, such as medical treatment and financial decisions. Through a legal proceeding, a court can appoint a guardian to assist individuals found to be incapacitated, i.e., where the individual can no longer manage their own care and management of their finances.

In New York State, the guardianship law for those who become incapacitated is Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law, which requires that a person needing a guardian either agree to the appointment or be determined incapacitated by a court. A determination of incapacity requires strong proof that the person will suffer harm because of his/her inability to manage financial or personal affairs and is unable to understand the nature and consequences of such inability. After a hearing takes place, the court will determine if a guardian should be appointed and if so, identify the powers held by the guardian. Guardians have very high standards of responsibility and accountability and must make decisions in light of the incapacitated person’s functional level, understanding, personal wishes, preferences and desires. Powers may include property or authority relating to the personal needs of the incapacitated person. Visit the NYS Court website for more information on guardian and fiduciary services.

Consider this case example:

About two years ago, Mrs. A, an 84-year-old retired nurse, became reacquainted with her nephew after years of no contact with him. At first it appeared to family members that Robert was helping Mrs. A around the house while serving as a good companion to her. However, recently Mrs. A’s daughter noticed that she had difficulty getting in touch with her mother who seemed secretive and vague about how she was spending her time.

Her daughter also noticed that Mrs. A’s home was increasingly in poor condition. Yet, Mrs. A resisted any attempts to bring in hired help, saying that Robert would help her. Additionally, Mrs. A stopped going to her local senior center and stopped socializing with longtime friends.

Finally, after not hearing from Mrs. A for over a week, her daughter became concerned and went to Mrs. A’s house. The house was in disarray, and there was little food in the kitchen. Her daughter also looked at Mrs. A’s most recent bank statements and saw numerous large withdrawals from the account, totaling over $13,000. When Mrs. A’s daughter asked what the withdrawals were for, Mrs. A said, “Robert handles that now….” Mrs. A’s daughter does not have a power of attorney and she is not her mother’s health care proxy. Out of concern for her mother’s physical well-being and finances, she petitions the court to become her mother’s guardian.

As this case illustrates, a family member (or a professional or institution) wanting to protect an older adult might pursue guardianship. Yet this legal mechanism can be confusing to those unfamiliar with it.

How is a Guardian Appointed?

An individual, a family member, friend, agency or institution, can petition for the appointment of a guardian if they are concerned that some harm will come to the older adult without one. In New York it is almost impossible to bring a guardianship proceeding without an attorney. An attorney familiar with guardianship will be needed to start this process in Supreme Court and will represent the petitioner throughout the court proceeding. In other states, a large percentage of guardianship petitioners are “pro se” (meaning self-represented).

Some individuals have no one to bring a guardianship proceeding for them. In this situation, the individual may be eligible for Adult Protective Services (APS). In New York, APS is authorized by law to intervene for adults who are in the community, at risk, and have no one available to assist them. APS is able to act as petitioner and guardian for clients. See the APS website for eligibility requirements, how to make a referral, and contact numbers.

Additional resources

Click here to view an online manual posted by the Guardian Assistance Network, which provides a detailed discussion of the role and responsibilities of the guardian in NYS, including annual reporting requirements.

Click here for information about certified trainings in NYS, which are required for Article 81 guardians once appointed.

]]>http://nyceac.com/understanding-the-ins-and-outs-of-guardianships-2016/feed/0NYCEAC’s Blockbuster Blogs: July 2015-June 2016http://nyceac.com/nyceac-blockbuster-blogs-2015-2016/
http://nyceac.com/nyceac-blockbuster-blogs-2015-2016/#respondWed, 14 Sep 2016 13:00:01 +0000http://nyceac.com/?p=9639All states have guardianship laws (sometimes known as conservator laws) to protect adults who are unable to make decisions for themselves, such as medical treatment and financial decisions

]]>NYCEAC celebrates the fourth anniversary of The Elder Justice Dispatch Blog. To celebrate this special milestone, NYCEAC has compiled nine influential blogs published July 2015-June 2016. These blogs highlight a wide number of elder justice topics, from successful elder abuse prevention campaigns to advocates’ personal encounters with elder abuse. We invite you to explore the nine blog summaries below and hope that these pique your interest to read further.

Advice from the Professionals: Responding to Elder Abuse

Liz Loewy

Elder Justice for Victims & Loved Ones features an interview with Liz Loewy, and spotlights the importance of reporting and prosecuting elder abuse cases. Ms. Loewy served as New York County’s District Attorney’s Office’s Elder Abuse Unit Chief for 18 years until last summer, and was lead prosecutor in the criminal trial involving the late Brooke Astor. In this blog she draws from her experience prosecuting this case as well as hundreds of other elder financial exploitation cases she handled during her time at the Manhattan DA’s Office.

Photo Courtesy of Gytha69

Supporting Victims & Families through the Holidays was reintroduced this year to reach individuals during the holiday season. Holidays are a time of family gatherings and traditions. During the holidays, the past can be idealized, which can cause this time of year to be especially difficult for victims of elder abuse and those concerned about them. This blog provides useful tips for professionals supporting older victims and families during the holiday season.

Spotlights: Advocates in Elder Justice

Nancy Oatts Design

Healing Through Elder Justice Advocacy spotlights Leanne Miller, an elder justice advocate and Ageless Alliance volunteer who was touched by elder abuse when her mother who has dementia was financially exploited by a family member. Leanne worked diligently to expose and end the abuse her mother faced, as well as pursue justice through prosecution. After living through this incredibly traumatic and painful experience, she developed a passion for raising awareness of elder abuse and using her story to help others.

Nancy Oatts Designs

It Became Love: One Advocate’s Journey into the Elder Justice World discusses how a multi-talented designer, writer, and artist became a passionate elder abuse advocate. Nancy Oatts was kind enough to sit down with NYCEAC’s Social Media Manager to discuss her personal experience encountering elder abuse, the surprising journey on which it led her, and her hopes for a future where elder abuse is prevented through the relationships that are built between neighbors.

There is a burgeoning elder justice movement among Native American, or indigenous American, tribes across the United States. NYCEAC’s Social Media Manager had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing Dr. Jacqueline Gray, Project Director for the National Indigenous Elder Justice Initiative (NIEJI) to learn about the unique work NIEJI is doing in this area. Native American Elder Justice Today describes the current landscape of the indigenous elder justice movement, notes the specific challenges to this community, highlights the work currently being done, and serves as a resource for collaboration.

Prevention Campaigns: Spreading the Word

Convened in October 2015 by the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), the Elder Justice League is comprised of elder justice advocates representing 11 organizations. Participating organizations have varying funding streams and missions, serve diverse populations, and share a wide breadth of expertise. The Elder Justice League: Addressing Elder Abuse through Social Media outlines how the League raises awareness of elder abuse across social media platforms and takes elder justice conversations mainstream.

NYC Elder Abuse Prevention Campaign discusses the series of public service announcements displayed by the NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA) in April and May 2016. The ads stand out for their artistic quality, simplicity, and unmistakable message, that elder abuse crosses ethnic and gender lines and takes many forms – and that there are resources available to help.

This selection of blogs was first published in our September/October 2016 eNewsletter. To view the complete eNewsletter, please click here. This edition and all of our previous eNewsletters are archived and can be viewed here. To subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on these blogs and other elder justice issues. Please comment below!

]]>http://nyceac.com/nyceac-blockbuster-blogs-2015-2016/feed/0The Brandl-Crockett Alliance: Combining Forces to Advocate for Older Womenhttp://nyceac.com/combining-forces-to-advocate-for-older-women/
http://nyceac.com/combining-forces-to-advocate-for-older-women/#respondWed, 28 Sep 2016 13:00:21 +0000http://nyceac.com/?p=9546Bonnie Brandl and Cailin Crockett, leaders in the cause to end violence and abuse against older women, may be an unlikely intergenerational pairing, but in fact they are a powerful combination whose collaboration has enriched the field of elder justice.

]]>An intergenerational pairing creates a powerful collaboration in the fight for justice for older women.

Call it a May-October match made, quite possibly, in heaven. Bonnie Brandl and Cailin Crockett, leaders in the cause to end violence and abuse against older women, may be an unlikely intergenerational pairing, but in fact they are a powerful combination whose collaboration has enriched the field of elder justice.

Bonnie Brandl

Bonnie, age 56, is an advocate and social worker, is a pioneer who has worked at End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin for 25 years – since Cailin was in preschool. She is the founder and director of NCALL, the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life and the author of numerous publications in the field. Just this past June, NCALL and the Office on Violence Against Women published her comprehensive 42-page report, “Working with Older Survivors of Abuse: A Framework for Advocates.”

Cailin Crockett

Cailin, who earned a summa cum laude degree from UCLA and an MPhil from Oxford, is a supernova in the making. At age 28, she has already worked as a Policy Specialist for the first White House Advisor on Violence against Women in Vice President Biden’s office; been a Presidential Management Fellow at the US Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS); and currently wears two hats, as Special Assistant for Gender Policy and Elder Rights at HHS and as a Gender Specialist on loan from HHS to advise on aging for the United Nations Development Program. In May 2016, the World Bank and other funders published a 33-page “Brief on Violence against Older Women,” for which Cailin was the lead writer. The document is a chapter in the Bank’s online “Violence Against Women and Girls Resource Guide.”

Both publications are aimed at advocates and providers, Bonnie’s nationally and Cailin’s internationally in the developing world. Both are resource-rich, with links to video, print, and online support services and information.

These two champions for older women’s rights formed an instant friendship two years ago that has since blossomed into a fruitful collaborative relationship. They first met over the phone when Cailin, upon entering the field, was given Bonnie’s name as a sine qua non resource for her work. They bonded when it emerged that each had personally been close to older women who were survivors of domestic violence– in Cailin’s case, her grandmother. Since that first call, they have been co-authors, organized several events together at the Department of Justice and the White House, and have been each other’s advocate and sounding board. As Cailin put it, “We are constantly in touch with each other, to keep each other posted on new ideas and developments and to get each other’s thoughts.”

It’s a coincidence that their most recent resource guides were both published in Spring 2016. Bonnie says she spent about two and half years planning and writing her guide, which was inspired by the 2014 publication of the Elder Justice Roadmap, a massive collaborative undertaking under the auspices of the US Department of Justice. Bonnie was part of the team that produced this first framework for tackling the highest-priority challenges in elder abuse prevention and prosecution. She kicked off her spinoff project with a roundtable that included Cailin. “If I’m really honest,” Bonnie says, “I’ve been planning this guide for 25 years, though there was no way I could have written it even five years ago because I’ve met so many older survivors, advocates and other experts who’ve helped me during this period. It’s really an effort by the field for the field.”

Bonnie’s guide is aimed at community-based domestic violence and sexual violence advocates who are often running local nonprofits and providing direct victim services. The objective is to help them better tailor their services to meet victims’ needs. She is currently working on a set of companion training modules and a workbook. “I realize that with 24 hours in a day, it’s hard for advocates to find the time to read and work through all this, but with the baby boom generation entering their older years, the need will be great.”

Cailin’s publication for the World Bank complements Bonnie’s in that it targets practitioners internationally, rather than domestically, and is aimed at raising awareness of women survivors beyond reproductive age (50 and above), an age group she believes is often overlooked by policy makers, funders, and providers in the domestic and sexual violence fields in the US and globally. “Older women are often the backbone of a community,” she says, pointing out that “old” is defined differently across cultures. “My goal is to continue to raise visibility so that the conversations about women and girls, including violence and abuse, have a lifespan approach.”

“Bonnie has been a guiding light for me,” Cailin says. “She inspired me to think about the connections that can be made between groups that should be working together but aren’t. Bonnie lit a fire under me to pursue research alongside my policy work, starting with writing our first co-authored journal article, “Survivors in the Margins: The Invisibility of Violence Against Older Women ;“ from there, I co-wrote another article, “Gender-based Violence and HIV Across the Life Course: Adopting a Sexual Rights Framework to Include Older Women,”which is on violence against older women, this time from a global lens, and that research helped lead to the World Bank Group’s ‘Brief on Violence against Older Women.’ Not only did I seek Bonnie’s counsel on the brief—in a particular section on guidelines for working with older survivors—I also cited as a resource her guide on power and control in abuse in later life. Just recently we teamed up to provide joint comment on new guidelines for healthcare providers, and we have plans to begin work on another journal article this fall.”

In June, the inaugural United State of Women Summit, hosted by the White House in Washington, DC, brought together thousands of women and girls from across the country, and featured thought leaders and advocates working to improve women’s ability to effect change. One of them was Bonnie, who spoke in the seminar, “From the Margins to the Center: Solutions to Stopping Violence in All Communities,” as a representative for older victims – a subgroup included on the agenda with the support of Carrie Bettinger-Lopez, White House Advisor on Violence against Women. As an extension of her role at HHS, Cailin also serve as a part of the Violence against Women Team in the Vice President’s Office, aiding the White House Advisor in bringing greater attention to older survivors.

Creative Commons, KM Preston Photography

“Cailin and I complement each other very well,” says Bonnie. “I have frontline experience, she has DC and UN experience and is more political. Our very common bond is our work ethic and our passion for this work. Plus,” she laughs, “she has the energy of youth and a better memory.”

Bonnie continues that with most of her career behind her, she finds herself refocusing her goals back to where she started: trying to figure out how to give advocates the tools they need to better meet the needs of older victims. “I’ve worked on national policy and created training curricula and videos for law enforcement officers and prosecutors with funding from the Justice Department, but now at this stage I’ve come back to service providers and our framework for empowerment – in an effort to achieve results that are concrete and measurable.”

As for Cailin, who is just beginning her career, “It’s bittersweet to work in an area that hasn’t been getting a lot of attention,” she says, “but it’s incredibly rewarding to put aging on the international development and women and girls agendas. It’s sad that it’s 2016 and we’re just starting to have these conversations, but so meaningful to fight for the underdog within a larger fight for the underdog.”

By Marilyn HarrisMarilyn Harris is an independent writer and editor specializing in business, technology, legal, and social issues.

]]>http://nyceac.com/combining-forces-to-advocate-for-older-women/feed/0The Field Guide: News and Resources for Elder Justice Professionals – November 2016http://nyceac.com/the-field-guide-news-and-resources-for-elder-justice-professionals-november-2016/
http://nyceac.com/the-field-guide-news-and-resources-for-elder-justice-professionals-november-2016/#respondWed, 09 Nov 2016 14:00:39 +0000http://nyceac.com/?p=9730Welcome to the NYC Elder Abuse Center’s (NYCEAC) Field Guide: News and Resources for Elder Justice Professionals blog. We've selected and analyzed the most helpful articles and resources relevant to elder justice professionals for July and August 2016.

Welcome to the NYC Elder Abuse Center’s (NYCEAC) news and resource roundup blog, The Field Guide. We’ve selected and analyzed the most helpful articles and resources relevant to elder justice professionals for September and October 2016. If you would like to share a news item or resource with us, please contact us at info@nyceac.com or via our Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

Trending Topics in the News

The elder justice news stories below were covered on mainstream press and shared widely through social media.

An agency with the Health and Human Services Department issued a rule that bars any nursing home that receives federal funding from requiring that its residents resolve any disputes in arbitration, instead of court. According to the New York Times, many facilities require arbitration agreements which have “stymied the families of nursing home residents from getting justice, even in the case of murder.”

LGBTQ older adults living in retirement homes face unique struggles, including an increased risk for abuse. “Advocates report that those in similar situations are often pressured into silence or forced back into the closet, and that abuse is especially severe against transgender and gender non-conforming residents.”

Phillip C. Marshall, elder justice advocate, writes about his journey to understand “that elder abuse is a systemic problem that demands systems-based solutions.” In this lengthy op-ed, Mr. Marshall explains why he feels strongly about this issue. “To advance elder justice, it is urgent we work together to assess needs and opportunities, using a systems-based approach informed by emerging analytics to harness the engagement and investment of all sectors.”

As a result of the growing numbers of vulnerable older adults, there is more opportunity for fraud and exploitation. This piece in the Athens Review details the top scams targeting older adults, how to detect fraud, and how to report suspected crimes.

Safe Horizon, the Nation’s Leading Victim Assistance Organization, will now have advocates in police precincts citywide in New York. These advocates will be available to provide assistance to crime victims, including elder abuse victims. Advocates are trained to be sensitive to victims’ specialized needs.

Research, Resources & Policy

Each Field Report, we feature a roundup of new and relevant resources, research and policy for elder justice practitioners.

ACL recently awarded $2.2 million in grants to 13 states to enhance statewide Adult Protection Services (APS) systems, improve practices and data collection, and interface with the Administration for Community Living’s National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System. The funding doubles the number of states receiving APS enhancement grants since ACL awarded the first-ever federal grants for state APS systems last year.

The prestigious National Academy of Sciences released a report on the prevalence and nature of family caregiving of older adults as well as its personal impact on caregivers’ health, economic security, and overall well-being. Included in the report is a section on “Elder Mistreatment and Neglect” which details prevalence of abuse, types of abuse, and a recommendation for further research.

NYC Elder Abuse Center, along with the Lifespan of Greater Rochester, designed, piloted, and conducted a survey to assess the current adequacy of elder abuse victim prevention and intervention services in New York State. Notable findings include the need for elder abuse public awareness and mental health services for victims, and that there are numerous obstacles to receiving crime victim compensation.

The latest newsletter from the Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children in Ontario focuses on abuse against older women. The newsletter includes information on common types of abuse, how to detect abuse, barriers to seeking help, and how to help when you suspect an older woman has been abused.

One in 7,700 emergency room visits are diagnosed as elder abuse, according to a new study. In a new study published this week in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, a team of researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of California San Diego, and Weill Cornell Medicine used a nationally-representative data set to estimate the frequency with which emergency providers make a formal diagnosis of elder abuse.

Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have a key role in elder abuse detection, which is why it is so important that The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) released a comprehensive resource on elder abuse screening tools. A brief introduction to elder abuse screening, screening tools, and reporting resources are included.

Countering Ageism

Elder abuse has roots in ageism. NYCEAC is committed to changing the way aging is perceived. For more information about ageism and to view additional resources, please visit ourCountering Ageism webpage. These are some of the items we read in September and October that confront ageism prejudices.

October 1st was the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Day of Older Persons. The 2016 theme for the day was Take a Stand Against Ageism. This year, the WHO sought to encourage the consideration of ageism “the negative attitudes and discrimination based on age – and the detrimental impact it has on older people.”

In 2016, almost 20 percent of Americans 65 and older are working. This New York Times op-ed highlights spotlights older Americans face in the workplace. A disproportionate percentage of people over 50 who are looking for work and unemployed due to ageist stereotypes studies demonstrate to be unfounded.

Older Americans are underrepresented and negatively stereotyped in film, according to a study conducted by Humana and the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. This Huffington Post piece describes how the current depiction of older adults in film is both the result of and a contributing factor to ageism.

A new Stanford University study counters ageism by demonstrating that intergenerational interactions benefit both young and old. “When older adults contribute to the well-being of youth, it cultivates a sense of purpose and extends benefits both ways.”

Elder Justice Champion

Elder Justice Champions are people or organizations who are advancing the field of elder justice through innovation, strategic partnerships, new programs and initiatives, and/or good old-fashioned elbow grease. In this issue of the Field Guide, we feature Phillip C. Marshall for his dedication to elder justice.

facebook.com/beyondbrookepage

Phillip C. Marshall is a tireless advocate for elder justice, using his influence to be a voice for victims of elder abuse throughout the country, and we are proud to honor him this issue. He is the grandson of New York philanthropist Brooke Astor. Brooke Astor was the victim of elder abuse by Anthony Marshall, her son and Philip C. Marshall’s father. Phillip’s interventions helped protect his grandmother. His father was later successfully prosecuted. Learn more about Phillip C. Marshall’s work at beyondbrooke.org.

]]>http://nyceac.com/the-field-guide-news-and-resources-for-elder-justice-professionals-november-2016/feed/0The Field Guide: News and Resources for Elder Justice Professionals – September 2016http://nyceac.com/field-guide-news-resources-elder-justice-professionals-september/
http://nyceac.com/field-guide-news-resources-elder-justice-professionals-september/#respondWed, 07 Sep 2016 13:00:34 +0000http://nyceac.com/?p=9475Welcome to the NYC Elder Abuse Center’s (NYCEAC) Field Guide: News and Resources for Elder Justice Professionals blog. We've selected and analyzed the most helpful articles and resources relevant to elder justice professionals for July and August 2016.

Welcome to the NYC Elder Abuse Center’s (NYCEAC) news and resource roundup blog, The Field Guide. We’ve selected and analyzed the most helpful articles and resources relevant to elder justice professionals for July and August 2016. If you would like to share a news item or resource with us, please contact us at info@nyceac.com or via our Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

Trending Topics in the News

The elder justice news stories below were covered on mainstream press and shared widely through social media. The most popular stories in July and August were all related to the passage or proposal of laws to protect older adults.

A new law requires hospitals to notify patients that they may incur fees not covered by medicare if they stay more than 24 hours without being formally admitted. Previously, patients placed “under observation” would unknowingly incur huge out-of-pocket costs.

Federal health regulators have announced plans tocrack down on nursing home employees who take demeaning photographs and videos of residents and post them on social media. A series of reports documented various nursing home staff committing elder abuse and posting degrading photos of older adults on social media including Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram. Senator Charles Grassley, R-Iowa and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on other federal agencies to take action on the problem.

The House of Representatives passed a bill that would make it easier for financial advisors to report financial abuse of the elderly. The Senior Safe Act of 2016 would protect financial institutions and advisors from legal liability if they disclose financial exploitation of senior citizens to a regulator.

New York passed new legislation requiring guidelines for end of life notices and visitation rights regarding incapacitated individuals subject of legal guardianship proceedings. “The legislation was sparked by the end-of-life treatment of the late actor Peter Falk, star of the 1970’s television detective show, “Columbo.” Mr. Falk’s daughter had alleged the actor’s second wife obtained conservatorship of him and blocked all contact with other family members at the end of his life.”

Countering Ageism

Elder abuse has roots in ageism. NYCEAC is committed to changing the way aging is perceived. For more information about ageism and to view additional resources, please visit ourCountering Ageism webpage. These are some of the items we read in July and August that confront ageism prejudices.

Aging lovers have challenged traditional notions of growing old, and institutions like The Hebrew Home at Riverdale are embracing these changes with their Sexual Expression Policy which allows for romantic relationships between residents. They even provide “Do Not Disturb” signs. “Sex falls right smack dab in the middle of who we are as people,” said Marguerite McLaughlin, senior director of quality improvement for the American Health Care Association.

In a panel on ageism in Hollywood, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences was accused of ageism for removing older members. “I actually think that it is ageist,” panelist and actress JoBeth Williams said of the Academy’s move. “We should have opened the door to more members, but not given the older members the boot.”

At 93, Norman Lear is still hard at work entertaining America. He is currently working on a comic series “Guess Who Died” set in a nursing home that puts older adults in the spotlight. The New York Times notes that Lear’s “…approach is the result of a deep concern with the way our country sees the elderly — or rather, the way we choose not to see them at all.” Watch The New York Times’ short video on Lear’s casting session for “Guess Who Died.”

Elder Justice Champion

Elder Justice Champions are people or organizations who are advancing the field of elder justice through innovation, strategic partnerships, new programs and initiatives, and/or good old-fashioned elbow grease.

The Huffington Post

In this issue of the Field Guide, we feature Lonnie Ali for her dedication to compassionate and empowering caregiving for her husband Muhammad Ali.In a moving tribute, psychologist Barry Jacobs sums it up in this Huffington Post editorial: “Lonnie Ali was an exemplar of positive caregiving. At the same time she played the role of the Champ’s champion, she became our national Caregiver Advocate, especially while working on behalf of Parkinson’s caregivers. By re-reading her interviews with caregiver websites and the general media during her now-completed caregiving years, we can glean lessons for reaping caregiving’s potential rewards.”

Research, Resources & Policy

Each Field Report, we feature a roundup of new and relevant resources, research and policy for elder justice practitioners.

New research explores the intersection of financial exploitation and decision making capacity, and provides a new conceptual model and tools for the investigation and prevention of financial exploitation. This research summary is part of a series sponsored by the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) and the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA) Joint Research Committee.

Risa Breckman, NYC Elder Abuse Center Director, co-produced the survey and its findings in order to assess the current adequacy of elder abuse victim prevention and intervention services in New York State. The report identified service gaps and barriers, and also enumerates a number of solutions.

ACL is pleased to announce that the National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making is accepting applications for the second year of its State Grant Program. They will be awarding grants for state-based projects that adopt an innovative approach to increase knowledge of and access to Supported Decision-Making by older adults and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the life course.

]]>http://nyceac.com/field-guide-news-resources-elder-justice-professionals-september/feed/0New York State Elder Abuse Prevention and Intervention Services Survey: Report of Findingshttp://nyceac.com/elder-justice-dispatch-nys-survey/
http://nyceac.com/elder-justice-dispatch-nys-survey/#respondTue, 05 Jul 2016 13:00:23 +0000http://nyceac.com/?p=9396Elder justice stakeholders in NYS responded to a survey developed by the NYC Elder Abuse Center (NYCEAC) and Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Inc. to assess the current adequacy of elder abuse victim prevention and intervention services around the state. The findings from the survey can be found in the newly released report, New York State Elder Abuse Prevention and Intervention Survey: Report of Findings.

]]>How adequate are New York State’s services for elder abuse victims?

This report has the answer.

Wouldn’t it be great to have a comprehensive picture of the elder abuse prevention and intervention service gaps and barriers in your state? Wouldn’t this help to get a handle on where things could be improved around your state, so that someday (with sustained advocacy and, yes, adequate funding) the gaps would be filled in and the barriers to obtaining help for victims would be lowered?

Now, New York State has these answers. Elder justice stakeholders in NYS responded to a survey developed by the NYC Elder Abuse Center (NYCEAC) and Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Inc. to assess the current adequacy of elder abuse victim prevention and intervention services around the state. The findings from the survey can be found in the newly released report, NYS Elder Abuse Prevention and Intervention Services Survey: Report of Findings. (The report was prepared by Risa Breckman, LCSW, Director, NYCEAC, and Paul L. Caccamise, LMSW, ACSW, Vice President for Program at Lifespan.)

A “striking” array of gaps and barriers were identified…but equally important: respondents suggested an impressive number of solutions.

The purpose of the survey, to which 484 individuals across NY State responded, was to obtain granular feedback about the state of elder abuse services across multiple service systems. All counties except two, plus the Seneca nation, were represented. The majority of respondents reported on a county or regional, versus statewide, basis. Their function within their organizations varied, from front-line service providers to administrators.

Here are a few of the notable findings, broadly stated:

There’s both a need for elder abuse prevention and intervention services and for case finding. Details of both inadequate services and underused capacity were offered.

Both the barriers to reporting abuse to law enforcement and the capability of law enforcement to respond adequately are problem areas.

“We hope the findings will spark conversations with people within and across the many organizations and systems involved with preventing and responding to elder abuse,” said report co-authors Breckman and Caccamise. “We also hope that the information will be valuable to all those interested in improving, designing, expanding, and/or funding elder abuse victim prevention and intervention services in NYS.”

By Marilyn Harris

Marilyn Harris is an independent writer and editor specializing in business, technology, legal, and social issues.

]]>http://nyceac.com/elder-justice-dispatch-nys-survey/feed/0NYC Elder Abuse Prevention Campaignhttp://nyceac.com/elder-justice-dispatches-nyc-elder-abuse-campaign/
http://nyceac.com/elder-justice-dispatches-nyc-elder-abuse-campaign/#respondMon, 20 Jun 2016 14:50:39 +0000http://nyceac.com/?p=9405“We wanted to emphasize that elder abuse happens every day, everywhere in the City, and that it ‘hits close to home,’ as the ads say,” explains Resnick. “We wanted people to understand that you don’t have to be in a nursing home, or be poor or have dementia to be an elder abuse victim. Because elder abuse is so often perpetrated by family members, anyone is vulnerable. And we wanted to get the message across that it could be happening to a neighbor, a friend, to their own older relative.”

Subway and bus riders in New York City are accustomed to staring up at ads for liposuction and cosmetic dentistry, but in April and May 2016 they could ponder a striking new series of public service advertisements, courtesy of the NYC’s Department for the Aging (DFTA). In stark black and white photography, each ad featured a large close-up of an elderly person staring back, over simple text such as “ROBBED by her nephew” or “BEATEN by her grandson.” The message beneath: “Elder abuse hits close to home,” with a reminder to seek help for abuse victims from 311, the City’s 24-hour Call Center, or from 911 if the older person is in imminent danger.

The ads stand out for their artistic quality, simplicity and unmistakable message, that elder abuse crosses ethnic and gender lines and takes many forms – and that there are resources available to help.

The campaign had its genesis in July 2015, when DFTA received increased funding to do more outreach and serve more elder abuse clients. “Under the Radar,” a groundbreaking 2011 report on the prevalence of elder abuse and under-reporting in New York State pointed up the growing problem, says Caryn Resnick, Deputy Commissioner of the DFTA.

More recently, the pressing need for better communication and messaging to raise awareness about elder abuse was further underscored in the FrameWorks Institute’s research report, “You Only Pray that Somebody Would Step In”: Mapping the Gaps Between Expert and Public Understandings of Elder Abuse in America (January 2016) and in Dr. Laura Mosqueda’s comments before the Elder Justice Coordinating Council (April 2016).

“We wanted to emphasize that elder abuse happens every day, everywhere in the City, and that it ‘hits close to home,’ as the ads say,” explains Resnick. “We wanted people to understand that you don’t have to be in a nursing home, or be poor or have dementia to be an elder abuse victim. Because elder abuse is so often perpetrated by family members, anyone is vulnerable. And we wanted to get the message across that it could be happening to a neighbor, a friend, to their own older relative.”

Measuring the impact of an awareness campaign is not easy, because the impact may not be immediate. But so far, the response to the ads has been positive, says Resnick, with an increase in calls to 311 about elder abuse situations. Those calls are referred for follow-up to appropriate community elder abuse services providers. DFTA has also accepted an offer from FY-Eye, an organization that helps nonprofits highlight powerful messages for the public, to host the images on its digital signage network, where it will reach thousands of additional viewers and potentially be downloaded, which can be tracked.

Resnick adds that the agency plans to distribute posters of the Elder Abuse Campaign images to its senior center and NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) programs and to any programs that request them. The images are also currently on the DFTA’s website and Facebook page. Placement in local newspapers is another possibility, alongside listings of community partners.

For municipalities considering launching a similar public awareness campaign, Resnick offers this advice: “First, make sure your message is clear, and second, make sure you can meet the demand the campaign will hopefully generate for information, assistance, and services.

Welcome to the Special World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) edition of our resource roundup, The Field Guide. Ahead of the this year’s WEAAD on June 15, we shared 16 elder justice resources daily through our social media channels. The campaign, #16for2016, was featured on our Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages. The campaign featured resources for elder justice professionals published after the 2015 WEAAD, and relevant to the work that we all do in this field. Some were suggested by our organizational friends who belong to the Elder Justice League, while others were carefully chosen for their importance to our work. A special thanks to graphic designer Nancy Oatts, a friend of elder justice, who designed the #16for2016 logo and shareable images.

In this blog post, we recap all of the resources that we shared through #16for2016 campaign, and added some of our other favorite elder justice and elder abuse awareness resources. Thank you to all of you who helped to make this campaign a success by engaging with us, and sharing our posts.

NAPSRC has released a 2-part report on emerging research and innovative practices, with a focus on elder financial abuse, tailored for Adult Protective Services professionals. This report helps to bridge the gap between theory and real-world applications of research.

African American Elders are not often the focus of research. The National Center on Elder Abuse has created a research brief related to the mistreatment of African American elders, particularly financial and psychological abuse.

Explore this searchable database of elder abuse training materials to discover a plethora of trainings that are otherwise challenging to locate. This database was designed for professionals, caregivers and the community, and inspired by the Elder Justice Roadmap.

Generations’ focus on ageism was inspired by a new study that provides powerful insights into how the public views older adults. As the study shows, the public’s perception of elders is negative and out of date.The goal of this article is to reframe how the public views aging, so that improvements across services, policies, and opportunities for older adults can be perceived as not only possible, but also desirable.

This editorial offers a new explanation regarding the dynamics of elder financial abuse and makes the argument as to why this problem should be highlighted as a public health issue. Our own Dr. Lachs of Weill Cornell is interviewed.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Elder Justice Website is leading the field as a resource for victims of elder financial abuse, their families, and the professionals who serve them including invaluable resources for prosecutors.

Thanks to the American Bar Association for creating the PRACTICAL Tool for identifying and implementing decision-making options that are less restrictive than guardianship. This tool enables attorneys to use instruments that are better tailored to their client’s needs.

Employees of financial institutions are often in a unique position to spot the warning signs of elder abuse, but there is little information to support them in taking action to intervene in these cases. CFPF has created and advisory and report that provide much needed information on how financial institutions can better protect older consumers from financial abuse.

NCALL has been the sole technical assistance provider on the intersection of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse for the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) since 1999. Through this unique collaboration the two organizations have created a summary report that provides guiding principles for advocates who work with older survivors of abuse and hyperlinks to 34 educational videos.

A result of two convenings on elder abuse, this issue brief lays out the current challenges and opportunities within the field of the elder justice and offers up-to-date and relevant information about the needs of intersecting systems that serve older adults.

Tribal elder abuse information is scarce. This resource from NCALL seeks to fill that gap with intelligent recommendations on how to create meaningful responses to abuse in later life, born from a listening session with tribal leaders.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a diverse group of elder abuse experts have collaboratively produced Elder Abuse Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Core Data Elements to establish unified definitions and data points to be used to better understand elder abuse nationally. Currently, the lack of standardized definitions and data create deficits in the field.

Watch out world – the Elder Justice League is here! The League represents organizations raising awareness about elder abuse across social media platforms, and taking elder justice conversations mainstream.

As always, we hope to be a resource to you. Please see the bonus material and additional resources below for information that goes beyond #16for2016.

More Resources We Love

These are a few bonus resources for elder justice and elder abuse professionals. They range from a strategic roadmap of resources, to the major listserv in our field, to professional publications and resources for our work.

Elder Justice RoadmapCreated with the input of experts and stakeholders from across the country, the Roadmap is a strategic resource — by the field and for the field — to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. The report identifies and prioritizes actions that direct service providers, educators, and researchers can take to benefit older adults facing abuse, neglect or financial exploitation. Likewise, it provides a roadmap for strategic investment and engagement by policymakers in both the public and private sectors to advance our collective efforts to prevent and combat elder abuse at the local, state and national levels.

ELder Abuse MDTs: Planning for the future
On September 8, 2014, elder justice experts and funders in the field gathered in New York City to reflect on the value of MDTs and discuss how to sustain and replicate them nationwide as part of a broader movement for elder justice. This publication captures key observations, questions and recommendations from that daylong symposium, supplemented with additional detail and background information.

NCEA’s Elder Abuse ListserveThe goal of the ElderAbuse listserv is to provide a forum for students and professionals who have a scholarly and/or professional interest in an area of elder mistreatment, neglect, and exploitation. Subscribers may either share or solicit pertinent news, events and opportunities relevant to topic areas.

]]>http://nyceac.com/the-field-guide-news-and-resources-for-elder-justice-professionals-weaad-edition/feed/116 for 2016: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Campaignhttp://nyceac.com/elder-justice-dispatch-16-for-2016/
http://nyceac.com/elder-justice-dispatch-16-for-2016/#respondFri, 27 May 2016 13:00:09 +0000http://nyceac.com/?p=9293This year for WEAAD, the New York City Elder Abuse Center (NYCEAC) will be sharing resources for elder justice professionals daily for 16 days, in a campaign called 16 for 2016 – which you can find on Twitter at #16for2016 or on our Facebook page starting on May 31, 2016.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), June 15th, offers an opportunity for advocates around the world to raise their voices in unison to increase awareness about elder abuse and build momentum for elder justice.

Elder abuse affects as many as 1 in 10 older adults. It is a dire epidemic that knows no geographic or socioeconomic boundary, and affects men and women, rich and poor, alike.

This year for WEAAD, the New York City Elder Abuse Center (NYCEAC) will be sharing elder justice resources daily for 16 days, in a campaign called 16 for 2016 – which you can find on Twitter at #16for2016 or on our Facebook page starting on May 31, 2016.

The resources we will be featuring serve to put key information at your fingertips. The resources distributed through this campaign include those published during the last year that our colleagues and our staff selected because they are either highly relevant to practice or focus on a topic that has yet to receive much attention.

Then on WEAAD, June 15th – the final day of our campaign – we will release a special edition of The Field Guide: News and Resources for Elder Justice Professionals, a compendium of our #16for2016 material, links to some of our all-time favorite resources, plus bonus content.

Please join us in making this campaign a success:

Engage with us around each resource by participating in conversations with your comments. Perhaps share ways you have found the resources to be useful or how you might use them in the future. Please also provide information on additional resources relating to the campaign topics. We want to know the resources that inspire innovative thinking and inform quality practice.